May Manning: Spotlight on Peyton Manning's niece and Arch Manning's sister

May Manning (centre), niece of NFL legend Peyton Manning

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May Manning (centre), niece of NFL legend Peyton Manning

May Manning: Spotlight on Peyton Manning's niece and Arch Manning's sister

Pulse Sports Team 15:13 - 14.11.2023

Despite the Manning family name being synonymous with prowess in American football, second-generation May Manning has carved a niche for herself by excelling in college volleyball with the University of Virginia

Who is May Manning?

May Manning is a 21-year-old volleyball player born in Drew, Mississippi in the United States of America. She is the daughter of renowned television personality Cooper Manning and Ellen Heidingsfelder, who is a lawyer; the sister of college American football star Arch Manning; and the niece of legendary National Football League (NFL) quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning.

Growing up, she joined the ranks of her sporting family, diving into the world of athletics at an early age. Her love affair with tennis kicked off in the sixth grade, but that was just the beginning. Alongside perfecting her backhand, she dove into swimming, dabbled in gymnastics, and displayed some talent on the football (soccer) field.

May Manning Instagram profile, showing her college and experience

She is currently, per her LinkedIn page, the Ritual and History Director of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority at the University of Virginia.

May Manning’s height

May Manning, by most listed records, is 5ft 4in (1.63m) tall.

Where does May Manning go to college?

May Manning went to college at the University of Virginia. 

From the age of six, she attended the Academy of the Sacred Heart, an alma mater shared with both her mother and grandmother. Subsequently, she pursued her higher education at the University of Virginia, where she focused on business as her major and complemented it with a minor in entrepreneurship.

Does May Manning play college volleyball?

No, she did not. 

While engaging in basketball, golf, and tennis at Sacred Heart, May Manning’s volleyball journey truly flourished within the school's athletic program. Ultimately, she emerged as a pivotal leader, guiding her team to clinch a state championship title. Notably, May secured the MVP award, mirroring her mother's accomplishment with the 1986 Most Valuable Player award in the New Orleans state championship.

May Manning was a budding volleyball star at Sacred Heart

During the team's fifth season at Sacred Hearts, May Manning played her final game. Despite having the skills to join the University of Virginia volleyball team, she chose to skip college volleyball. Instead, May decided to focus on her studies at the University of Virginia after a successful run in her volleyball career.

When did Peyton Manning retire?

May's uncle Peyton Manning retired from professional football on March 7, 2016. He announced his retirement during a press conference held by the Denver Broncos, the team with which he won his final Super Bowl in the 2015 NFL season. 

Which Manning has more rings?

The Manning brothers, Peyton and Eli, boast Super Bowl champion status. Peyton Manning, a veteran of four Super Bowl appearances, participated in two with the Indianapolis Colts (in 2007 and 2010) and two with the Denver Broncos (in 2014 and 2016). Notably, he clinched victory in two Super Bowl matchups: one against the Chicago Bears in 2007 and another against the Carolina Panthers in 2016. 

Eli Manning, on the other hand, engaged in two Super Bowl contests and emerged triumphant in both. Impressively, both victories came against the formidable New England Patriots. Collectively, the Manning brothers hold an impressive record of securing four Super Bowl titles.

What Manning went to Texas?

In June 2023, Arch Manning committed his future to NCAA college football side the Texas Longhorns.

Arch, who is the brother of May, is a highly touted American high school quarterback. Archibald "Arch" Manning comes from the famous Manning football family, which includes his grandfather Archie Manning and his uncles Peyton Manning and Eli Manning, all of whom have had successful careers in the NFL.

Arch gained attention for his impressive skills on the football field, particularly as a quarterback. Being part of such a renowned football family has naturally drawn a lot of attention to his potential future in the sport. 

Following in the footsteps of his father, uncles, and grandfather, Arch made a significant impact on the football scene by emerging as the top recruit directly from high school. During his tenure at the Isidore Newman School in 2019, he outperformed his uncles, tallying an impressive 34 touchdowns and approximately 2500 yards in successful throws, and gaining widespread recognition as one of the most highly-rated quarterback prospects in history.

May Manning’s mother 

Born on December 20, 1968 in Louisiana, Ellen Heidingsfelder, the wife of Cooper Manning, is a distinguished attorney based in New Orleans. She underwent legal education at Loyola University and the University of Virginia, where she cultivated the skills necessary for her profession and also played college volleyball. 

"The Mannings are great athletes but I get my volleyball talents and ability from my mom," May said. "She could really pop the ball from what I've heard."

Presently, Ellen holds a position as an attorney in the United States. Details about her high school years are limited, with focus primarily on her higher education at the aforementioned universities.

May Manning’s Instagram

May Manning is on Instagram, as well as a number of other social media platforms. However, her accounts are mostly private, signposting her desire to avoid the public eye and keep a modest profile.

How many Manning brothers are there?

The Manning family has three sons: Peyton, Eli and Cooper, born to NFL legend Archie Manning. All the boys joined the football team at their nearby high school. Unfortunately, Cooper experienced a medical complication right before embarking on his inaugural collegiate season, preventing him from taking up American football like his father and his two brothers.

Peyton Manning, the renowned quarterback, showcased his talent at the University of Tennessee from 1994 to 1997, amassing an impressive record of 11,201 yards and 89 touchdowns over the four seasons. This stellar performance led to his selection as the No. 1 pick in the 1998 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts.

His professional journey with the Colts spanned from 1998 to 2011 before he was traded to the Denver Broncos in 2012. Manning brought his illustrious career to a close on March 7, 2016. Throughout his tenure in the NFL, he achieved a remarkable 539 touchdowns and 71,940 yards, securing two Super Bowls and achieving victories against all 32 NFL teams.

In 2021, Peyton was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

In a parallel narrative, Eli Manning, Peyton's younger counterpart, pursued his football career at the University of Mississippi from 2000 to 2003, where he served as the quarterback. During his collegiate tenure, Eli notched up 81 touchdowns and a total of 10,119 yards.

In the 2004 NFL draft, Eli claimed the No. 1 overall pick, initially selected by the San Diego Chargers but eventually traded to the New York Giants. From 2004 to 2006, he held the position of starting quarterback for the Giants, contributing significantly to the team's success. Over his remarkable 16-season tenure, Eli amassed 366 touchdowns and threw for 57,023 yards. His accomplishments included two Super Bowl MVP awards, two championships, and the prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award. Eli Manning officially bid farewell to his playing career on Jan. 24, 2020.

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